It's an excellent piece and from trading emails with Singer, I can tell you he was as enthralled as the many Let's Run Message Board posters.

My favorite part of the article is that Singer arranged to meet with Litton after the 2012 Boston Marathon, as both of his sons would be running. Litton was a no show. Singer countered by showing up at Litton's office in Michigan the next day! Ballsy and awesome. He finally did get a sit down with Litton, at Wendy's of all places, and discusses it on the podcast; a must listen after reading the article.

Below is an update about what each American athlete has been up to since the trials and who has a true MEDAL CHANCE, a DARKHORSE medal opportunity, and then sadly, those who may not by ready to roll due to injury (HURT ALERT).

2. Khadevis Robinson-DARKHORSE
KD ran great at the trials, but hasn't run since. Making the final should be his number one goal. If he can do that, he's capable of top five or better, especially with his run from behind and kick from 300 out tactic, that he's employed over the last two seasons.

Saucony has made custom spikes for #5 All Time American
in the 800, Duane Solomon

3. Duane Solomon - DARKHORSEHis phenomenal 1:43.44 PR in Monaco shows he is at the top of his game. Solomon, like KD, has changed his style from frontrunner to "run right behind the leader" and it's paid off well. His goal should be making the final, and then going from there. Like KD, and Symmonds for that matter, he's got a great shot if he's on the line for the final on Thursday, August 9th. One side note; neither Abraham Kipchirchir Rotich or Leonard Kirwa Kosencha, both of Kenya, who beat Solomon in Monaco, are running in London.

Women's 8001. Alysia Montano -MEDAL CHANCE
Monaco was good, but not great for Montano. She ran 1:59.05 for third, but looked to be in better shape at the trials. Maybe it was just her international rust buster. She likes to front run, which can be disastrous, but she's too good not to make the final. From there, I'm sure she'd like to improve on her 4th place finish from Daegu last year.

3. Alice Schmidt
Schmidt's added strength training this year led to a PR and A Standard in the 1500 at Prefontaine. She barely missed the final in Daegu last year. That will be her goal for London. Read the 5 Questions with Schmidt feature here.

Men's 15001. Leo Manzano -DARKHORSE
Known for his hot and cold racing habits, Manzano has been hot all year, except for two weeks ago at Crystal Palace. Hopefully one poor showing isn't a sign of where he is right now. Manzano's kick is medal-worthy and if he runs like he did at the trials, that's a possibility.

3. Andrew Wheating-HURT ALERT
A few days ago, "Britain's Athletics International" said that Wheating had withdrawn from the games. That looked to be false information, but Wheating has been hurt and had to withdraw from Monaco with a flaring up of plantar fasciitis. Let's hope he's ready to go, but I wouldn't put too much stock in him going beyond the semis if this continues to be an issue (it took 3:37.77 to make the final in Beijing)

Women's 15001. Morgan Uceny -MEDAL CHANCE
Uceny hasn't looked quite as strong as last year. The devastating kick that she displayed all of 2011, save Daegu, hasn't been there. Maybe by design. Her, Shannon Rowbury and Jenny Simpson all looked good, but not great, at Crystal Palace, but I'm sure she and her coach, Terrence Mahon, have been trying to time her peak for the games. We'll see if it works; as if it does, she's a podium threat.

2. Shannon Rowbury -DARKHORSENo stranger to the medal stand, Rowbury has been overshadowed by Uceny and Simpson over the past two seasons. She's a smart racer most certainly will make the final. After that, she'll need a big race, but like Simpson last year, is capable of medaling if things go her way.

3. Jenny Simpson -MEDAL CHANCE
Last year's 1500 meter World Champ hasn't shown that kind of form yet, but we know it's there. She's run under 4:00 in the event and has as good of 100 meter speed as anyone if it comes down to the last straightaway.

Men's 3000 Steeplechase1. Evan Jager -MEDAL CHANCE
What's he done since the trials? Only set the American Record in the Steeple in an incredible time of 8:06.81. He also launched himself into the medal conversation. Maybe it's too soon, but maybe not. This event was made for Jager and he's taking full advantage of the opportunity. Look for him to contend on Friday, August 3rd (semifinal) and Sunday, August 5th (final).

3. Kyle Alcorn
If you saw Alcorn at the trials, you know he left it all out there to make the team. He'll have to do the same to make the final in London. He's got a great kick, which will bode well in a kickers race. Read the5 Questions with Alcorn feature here.

3. Shalaya Kipp
Like Gall, hopefully Kipp won't fall into the potentially "happy to be here" mode and will compete. In the same Morton Mile as Coburn, Kipp managed only a 4:40.31, but is "hungry for more." She's certainly capable of making the final, but her best shot at the medal stand will be at 2016 or 2020.

Men's 50001. Galen Rupp -MEDAL CHANCEWhile Rupp's training partner, Mo Farah, ran in front of his home crowd at Crystal Palace, Rupp has been silent. I don't think anyone has any doubts he'll be ready to roll when the 5000 semifinal goes off on Wednesday, August 8th.

2. Bernard Lagat -MEDAL CHANCE
Not too much should be taken from Lagat's 3:54.17 Mile at Crystal Palace. It was an alright tune up race. Like Rupp, Lagat is a veteran that will be ready to go for the semis and will exhaust just enough energy to make the final. Gold is on his mind, but a podium finish would be a victory for him and America.

3. Lopez Lomong-DARKHORSE
Lomong won't have the hoopla that comes with being a flag bearer this year. In '08, he didn't make it out of the semifinal in the 1500. He should make it out of the semifinal and then could surprise in the final. He's run very few 5000's, but has run them all well. It took 13:06.22 to medal in Beijing, and will likely take faster in London.

2. Molly Huddle
How fit is Huddle? We're not really sure. She's battled injury since her 14:44.76 American Record in 2010. Could she be rounding into shape? She didn't make it out of the heats in Daegu, so priority number one will be that.

3. Kim Conley
"Conley's definitely not just 'happy to be here.' This is the freaking Olympic Games. You can't simply coast in and show up," says her Coach Drew Wartenburg. "Training/prep is going well." She's got absolutely nothing to lose. She ran the race of her life to make it and secured a deal with New Balance in the process. Things are looking up. They'd be even more exciting if Conley could find that same magic to make the final. She won her tune up race in Cork, so it's possible!

Men's 10,0001. Galen Rupp -MEDAL CHANCE
What seems to be Rupp's signature event will be the first on his schedule. The gun will go off next Saturday, August 4th for his run at the medal stand. It will be tough beating his teammate, Mo Farah, but everyone else is beatable, including Keninisa Bekele. He'll need to have the kick of his life to medal, but that's what he and his coach, Alberto Salazar, have been training his whole life for.

2. Matt Tegenkamp
Teg's run at the trials was inspiring. After looked washed up at Pre, he rebounded and looked in control the whole way. Keep in mind, he's only run four 10,000's ever. His 10th place finish at Daegu last year was good, but I'm sure he wants more, as he finished 4th in Osaka in the 5000 in 2007. Top 7-8 is likely where he'll fall if he runs a strong race.

3. Dathan Ritzenhein
Ritz seems to be on the upswing. His 13:15.91 in the rain at Crystal Palace was another positive step towards his comeback to the track (although he's running the Chicago Marathon this fall). Can he hang on to the front pack? It's going to be tough, but I would think a top 7-8 finish, like Teg, for Ritz is doable.

Women's 10,0001. Amy Hastings
One of the best stories of the trials was Amy Hastings breaking through and winning the 10,000, after finishing a disappointing 4th at the Marathon Trials. It will be near impossible to make the podium, but a top 7 finish should be possible, based on Daegu's results.

2. Lisa Uhl
Like Huddle, Uhl has been injured and it's hard to know what to expect from her. She hasn't raced since the trials, so we'll see what happens a week from today!

3. Janet Cherobon-Bawcom
JCB mentioned in her interview with me that she was "so sick in Eugene that I can't even pretend that I had a strategy." Hopefully she's feeling better now and will compete! Read the 5 Questions with JCB feature here.

2. Ryan Hall-DARKHORSE
In early June, Hall looked abysmal at the Rock 'n' Roll San Diego Half Marathon, getting his butt kicked by Meb. He's done this before, but never this slow. News came out that he'd had a bad case of plantar fasciitis that was hindering his training. That seems to be in the past now, but will he be ready for the world's best? I know he wants to rebound from his 10th place finish in Beijing. Expect him to contend for as long as he can on the last day of athletics, Sunday, August 11th.

2. Desi Davila - HURT ALERT
News has come out recently that Davila has been injured and could potenially not start next Sunday, August 5th. Let's hope she can find a way to go. The marathon is a tough event to go into half-cocked, but Davila is one of the toughest out there.

3. Kara Goucher-DARKHORSE
She surprised many with her podium finish at the trials and has been training well by all accounts. She could surprise again in London if people crash and burn, as she'll likely take a more balanced approach.

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Today we have our fourth 2012 London Olympics Steepler for 5 Questions with. She's not American, but this tremendous Australian athlete has large ties to the US, as she just capped off an excellent collegiate career at the University of Florida and just signed on with an agent to run professionally.

1. Writing About Running: Congrats on being selected to the Australian Olympic Team. How much it mean to have all your fans rally around your potential bid?

Genevieve LaCaze: It meant more than I ever could have imagined. You sometimes don't realize the love and support you truly have til something like this takes place. I have an amazing support system, and I guess social media today really helped me out!

2. Writing About Running: You ran the Olympic A Standard at the American Milers Club High Performance Series a week after NCAA's. Did you feel you had that kind of performance in you and what were your immediate thoughts when you hit the A after Australia had set their deadline?

Genevieve LaCaze: I was very lucky to have been approached immediately after my NCAA final by Total Sports (my agency today) because if it wasn't for them, I would have never even known about that race. I was 100% positive I was capable of the time. I had said it all season, I just couldn't get into the right race to allow me to do so. I wrote the splits down on my hand and convinced myself there was no way I shouldn't be hitting them. When I crossed that line in 9 minutes and 41 seconds it was a big sigh of relief but I knew that was only half the battle.

3. Writing About Running: You're from Queensland, Australia, but ran at the University of Florida. How did you end up there?

Genevieve LaCaze: There were a few Aussies in the US before me that I think helped with getting my name out to be recruited however I was never a big fan about coming over initially. When they say parents know best, it isn't a myth. My parents forced that move on me 4 years ago and to this day I will never be able to thank them enough. I love USA.

4. Writing About Running:New Balance recently signed you to a professional contract. How did all of that come together?

Genevieve LaCaze: Again, Total Sports has helped me out there and dealt with all the behind the scenes work. I met with New Balance while in Eugene watching the US Olympic Trials and I am definitely very honored to be onboard with Team New Balance.

5. Writing About Running: You're now onto the next step as a full time runner. What are your plans leading up to the Olympics?

Genevieve LaCaze: I am currently in Teddington, just outside London, training with a few other Aussie athletes. I will head over to Dublin, Ireland for a mile, but that is all I'll be doing before the big one!

LaCaze: Haha, you bet. I am digging quite a hole for myself because some particular family members don't know yet but as I said earlier, social media power will let the cat out of the bag in time, if not already....

Monday, July 16, 2012

Today, we skew from the norm at 5 Questions with. When I worked in the music business from 2000-2005, I remember this guy coming up. He opened for every big act out there and seemingly was playing seven shows a week all over the country. "How does he have the endurance to keep this up?" I thought. Well, turns out he was a pretty decent runner as well. He's also a big fan of the sport.

Michael Tolcher's debut major label album "I Am" was released May 4, 2004 and he's been on the road ever since. Before that, he was a State Champion runner at Lovejoy High in Georgia and went on to run in college, before taking up a career as a musician. He planned his most recent tour around the Olympic Trials and spent half the week at Hayward and the other half at the Wild Duck Cafe. Check out his website and follow him on Twitter @MichaelTolcher

5 Questions with Michael Tolcher

1. Writing About Running: People may know Michael Tolcher the musician, but can you tell us about your running roots at Lovejoy High, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and Georgia Tech?

Michael Tolcher: Well, I once dreamed of being an Olympian too - I had run off and on as a kid (county record for 100 yard dash for 11-12-haha!). I loved track in high school. Winning the 3200 meters at state my senior year enabled me to run in college. I went to UTC because I loved the mountains in Chattanooga and the coach there was very cool. Then I thought I was more of a fit for Atlanta, so I transferred to Georgia Tech my sophmore year.

I focused on the steeple and 1500 meters. I soon realized I was a better singer, and that it hurt alot less!

2. Writing About Running:You were all over the place for the trials. How'd you end up making it to Eugene and how was your stay?

Michael Tolcher:Yea, what a blast that was! I was putting together my touring schedule in January, and purposely routed it through Eugene for the trials. I had always wanted to go...and this year I really wanted to see Wallace Spearmon light up the track. He's very inspiring as an athlete and as a person. I think he's the man to beat in the 200 meters.

3. Writing About Running:With all the excitement at the trials, what were your favorite moments on and off the track?

Michael Tolcher:On the Track: Well, of course the 200 meter final ... the Womens High Jump and Javelin, Men's 1500... both Men's hurdle events were super exciting. Off the track: I enjoyed the late nights at the Duck - meeting Maggie Vessey wasn't half bad (the feeling was mutual).

4. Writing About Running:Runners need the next "Born to Run" or "Runnin' Down a Dream." You seem like the guy for the job. Have you thought to write the quintessential running song, and how much of your music comes from your passion for the sport?

Michael Tolcher: Haha. Good point! I'm gonna wrap my head around it now... maybe belt it out in London.

I think running all those years built up my lungs for singing! Actually, putting on a show is a lot like a race. I approach shows similarly; psych myself up, clear my mind, and give it everything I got! I'm gonna be training for the 1500 meters again for fun. Who knows what songs will come about during that endeavor. Hopefully a Track & Field hit!

5. Writing About Running:What are your predictions for Team USA's performance in London?

Michael Tolcher: Hmmm. Tons of gold! Wallace, Angelo, LaShawn, Tolcher - I really hope I make one of the relay teams! Oh yea...and Will Claye, the grasshopper!